Fiber optic connector locking feature

ABSTRACT

A connector assembly that includes a connector that has a ferrule and a latch. The latch is movable about a connection point. The connector assembly also includes a boot that is removably mounted to the connector. The boot is axially slidable to move the latch. The connector assembly also includes a locking assembly to selectively lock the boot from sliding axially relative to the connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/587,774 filed Nov. 17, 2017, entitled FIBER OPTIC CONNECTORLOCKING FEATURE, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a fiber optic connector.

BACKGROUND

Modern optical devices and optical communications systems widely usefiber optic cables. A typical fiber optic cable includes one or moreoptical fibers contained within a protective jacket. Reinforcingstructures such as aramid yarns and/or fiber reinforced epoxy rods canbe used to provide reinforcement to the optical cables. It is wellunderstood that a typical optical fiber includes a glass fiber processedso that light beams transmitted through the glass fiber are subject tototal internal reflection wherein a large fraction of the incidentintensity of light directed into the fiber is received at the other endof the fiber. A typical optical fiber includes a glass core surroundedby a cladding layer having a lower refractive index as compared to therefractive index of the core. The cladding causes light to be confinedto the core by total internal reflection at the boundary between thetwo. The cladding layer of an optical fiber is often covered by one ormore polymeric coatings (e.g., acrylate) to protect the glass and tofacilitate handling of the optical fiber.

Fiber optic communication systems employ a network of fiber optic cablesto transmit large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively longdistances. Optical fiber connectors are an important part of most fiberoptic communication systems. Fiber optic connectors allow two opticalfibers to be quickly optically connected without requiring a fusionsplice. Fiber optic connectors can be used to optically interconnect twolengths of optical fiber. Fiber optic connectors can also be used tointerconnect lengths of optical fiber to passive and active equipment.

A typical fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly supported ata distal end of a connector housing. A spring is used to bias theferrule assembly in a distal direction relative to the connectorhousing. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule that functions tosupport an end portion of at least one optical fiber (in the case of amulti-fiber ferrule, the ends of multiple fibers are supported). Theferrule has a distal end face at which a polished end of the opticalfiber is located. When two optical fibers are interconnected, the distalend faces of the ferrules abut one another and the ferrules are forcedproximally relative to their respective connector housings against thebias of their respective springs. With the fiber optic connectorsconnected, their respective optical fibers are coaxially aligned suchthat the end faces of the optical fibers directly oppose one another. Inthis way, an optical signal can be transmitted from optical fiber tooptical fiber through the aligned end faces of the optical fibers. Formany fiber optic connector styles, alignment between two fiber opticconnectors is provided through the use of an intermediate fiber opticadapter including an alignment sleeve that receives and coaxially alignsthe ferrules of the fiber optic connectors desired to be interconnected.For certain styles of fiber optic connectors, the optical fibers aresecured within their respective ferrules by a potting material such asepoxy.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a lock assembly for aconnector which includes two connector portions each including a ferruleand a latch, each latch including a distal end and a proximal end. Thelatch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion. Theconnector also includes a boot mounted to the connector portions. Theboot is movable longitudinally relative to the connector portions. Theboot causes the distal ends of the latch to pivot toward the ferrule ofeach connector portion as the boot is moved away from the connectorportions. The connector also includes a holder with a boot retainer anda boot with a holder mount. The holder releasably holds the connector,and the boot retainer releasably retains the holder mount. Theconnector, the holder and the boot are releasably connected along acentral axis.

An example of the lock assembly releasably locks the holder mount andthe boot retainer together in alignment with the central axis. The lockassembly includes a locking axis. In an example, the lock assemblyincludes a guide and a follower. The guide defines a locking pathwaywith an insertion section and a rotation section. The insertion sectionextends in parallel to the central axis. The rotation section extendsabout the central axis. The follower travels along the locking pathway.

Another example of a lock assembly includes an anti-rotation assemblywith a key portion defining a keyway. The key portion can be rotatedabout an axis, which is normal to the central axis. Rotating the keyportion causes the keyway to align with a shoulder. The shoulder can bepivoted into the keyway, inhibiting rotation of the boot about thecentral axis.

Another example of a lock assembly includes an insertable lock mechanismwith a handle and an insert. The handle is accessible by a user to pushand pull the handle along an axis, which is normal to the central axis.Pushing the handle causes the insert portion to engage and disengage acorresponding receiver on the holder. The holder can include a receiver.Conversely, a user can pull the handle in order to disengage the insertfrom the receiver.

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a connector assemblythat includes a connector portion with a ferrule, a holder comprising aboot retainer, and a boot comprising a holder mount. The holderreleasably holds the connector portion. The boot retainer releasablyretains the holder mount. The connector portion, the holder and the bootare releasably connected along a central axis. The connector assemblyalso includes a locking assembly that releasably locks the holder mountand the boot retainer together in alignment with the central axis. Thelocking assembly includes a locking axis.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a connectorassembly that includes a boot retainer and a boot that includes aretainer mount. The boot retainer releasably receives the retainermount. The boot retainer and the retainer mount are releasably connectedalong a central axis. The connector assembly also includes a lockingassembly that releasably locks the retainer mount and the boot retainertogether in alignment along the central axis. The locking assemblyincludes a guide and a follower. The guide defines a locking pathwaywith an insertion section and a rotation section. The insertion sectionextends in parallel to the central axis. The rotation section extendsabout the central axis. The follower travels along the locking pathway.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a connectorassembly that includes a connector that has a ferrule and a latch. Thelatch is movable about a connection point. The connector assembly alsoincludes a boot that is removably mounted to the connector. The boot isaxially slidable to move the latch. The connector assembly also includesa locking assembly to selectively lock the boot from sliding axiallyrelative to the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example fiber optic connector inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1 shown in the latchedposition.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1 shown in the unlatchedposition.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector, showing the fronthousings of the connector portions being rotated to change the polarityof the connector.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 7 taken alongline 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a front portion of the connector of FIG.8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an intermediate portion of the connectorof FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 11, takenalong line 12-12 in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a front portion of the connector of FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view in cross-section of the front housingof one of the connector portions.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the front sleeve of one of theferrule assemblies.

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view in cross-section of the front sleeveof FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the rear sleeve of one of the ferruleassemblies.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the holder of the connector.

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the holder of the connector.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the holder of the connector.

FIG. 21 is front perspective view in cross-section showing one of therear sleeves mounted to the holder.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector along thecenterline.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a duplex adapter for mating with theconnector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 24 is a further perspective view of the duplex adapter of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the duplex adapter of FIGS. 23 and24.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another example fiber optic connectorin accordance with aspects of the present invention, showing the fiberoptic connector in an unlocked position.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector shown in FIG.26, showing the fiber optic connector in a locked position.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector shown in FIG.26, showing the fiber optic connector in the locked position with thecover removed.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector shown in FIG.26, showing the fiber optic connector in the unlocked position with thecover removed.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector shown in FIG.26, showing the cover and the boot removed.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of another example fiber optic connectorin accordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of another example fiber optic connectorin accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-22, an example connector 10 includes two fiberoptic connector portions 12 and a boot 14. Connector portions 12 eachinclude a ferrule 78 for holding a fiber optic cable. Connector 10 mayalso be referred to as a duplex connector assembly or duplex connector.Connector 10 is matable to an adapter 200 shown in FIGS. 23-25. Adapter200 mates two connectors 10 together or mates another connector toconnector 10 for fiber optic signal transmission.

The two connector portions 12 of connector 10 are arranged in a parallelposition. Each connector portion 12 has a latch 18 including a latchbody 20 with a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24. Latch 18 pivotsaround a connection point 26 during latching and unlatching of latch 18.Latch 18 secures connector 10 to adapter 200. Boot 14 is movable awayfrom connector portions 12 in a longitudinal direction (Direction A inFIG. 2) causing pivoting movement of latch 18 about connection point 26(Direction B in FIG. 2). Such pivoting movement allows for unlatching ofconnector portions 12 from adapter 200. Boot 14 simultaneously movesboth latches 18 to allow for connector 10 to be unlatched from a duplexadapter or adapters with side-by-side ports 210. Latch body 20 includesa shoulder 28 which mates with latching shoulder 208 of adapter 200 tosecure the connector 10 to the adapter 200.

In the illustrated embodiment, each connector portion 12 defines an LCprofile, meaning that the connector portion 12 can mate with an LCadapter.

Boot 14 includes slots 50 which receive distal ends 24 of latch 18.Slots 50 and proximal ends 22 are angled so as to cause a lifting motionfor proximal ends 22 which results in a downward movement of distal ends24 of latch 18 when boot 14 is pulled longitudinally away from aremainder of connector 10. Compare FIGS. 2 and 3. A user can pull onboot 14 in a longitudinal direction away from the ferrules, and removethe connector 10 from the adapter 200, without directly engaging latches18.

Connector portion 12 includes a front housing 32 and a ferrule assembly76. Ferrule assembly 76 includes a ferrule 78, a hub 80 which holds theferrule 78, and a spring 82 which biases hub 80 and ferrule 78 towardfront housing 32. A front sleeve 88 and a rear sleeve 90 are mountedtogether with the ferrule 78, the hub 80, and the spring 82 housedinside to form the ferrule assembly 76. An internal tube 84 is providedextending from the hub 80. Tube 84 prevents epoxy from interfering withthe movement of the ferrule 78, the hub 80 and the spring 82. The rearsleeve 90 is received in holder 96 through a side slot 98. A rear crimpring 104 and a crimp sleeve 106 allow crimping of a cable 150 to holder96.

A clip 180 may be used to hold connector portions 12 in the desiredposition as shown in FIG. 1. If an alternative position of connectors 12is desired, such as to reverse the polarity of the connector portions12, clip 180 is removed, thereby allowing rotation of the front housings32 with the latches to an opposite side of connector 10. Such operationis desirable to change the polarity of connector portions 12 withrespect to boot 14. Once the front housings 32 are rotated (see rotationarrows B1 and B2 in FIG. 5), clip 180 is repositioned to maintain thefront housings 32 in the new desired position. Boot 14 includes similarslots 52 on an opposite side of boot 14 so that boot 14 does not need tobe rotated. Clip 180 can also be provided with different dimensions soas to change the spacing between connector portions 12, if desired. Clip180 includes outer arms 182, and an inner arm 184, and shoulders 186 oneach of arms 182, 184 for securing to front housings 32 of the connectorportions 12.

In the illustrated example, front housing 32 mounts to ferrule assembly76. Ferrule assembly 76 mounts to holder 96. Holder 96, which mounts totwo ferrule assemblies 76, mounts to boot 14. Boot 14 is engageable withlatches 18 of the front housings 32. Cable 150 is crimped to holder 96.The individual fibers of cable 150 are fixed to the ferrules 78, such aswith epoxy.

Cable 150 includes an outer jacket 152, strength members 154, typicallyin the form of an aramid yarn, and two fibers 156, 158. Each fiber 156,158 includes an outer coating 160 and a bare fiber 162. Typically, thecoating 160 is removed and the bare fiber 162 is inserted into theferrule 78, and affixed, such as with epoxy.

Front housing 32 includes a key 34 for mating with an inner passage 202of adapter 200. Alignment sleeve 204 aligns the ferrules 78 to mate twoconnectors 10. Adapter 200 includes two ferrule alignment sleeves 204,and side-by-side passages 202 for each receiving a connector portion 12.

Front housing 32 includes latch 18 on an exterior, and an inner passage36 in the interior for receiving ferrule assembly 76. Inner passage 36includes a front shoulder 38, an inner slot 40 and a side slot 42.

Boot 14 includes an opening 54 for mating with structure on holder 96.Boot 14 includes an interior area 56, and a flexible rear portion 58.

Holder 96 includes a tab 100 for mating with structure on rear sleeve 90of ferrule assembly 76. Holder 96 includes a rear projection 102 forreceiving the crimp ring 104 and the crimp sleeve 106. Holder 96includes cross slots 108 for receiving proximal ends 22 of latch 18. Ashoulder 110 mates with opening 54 of boot 14 to allow longitudinalmovement of boot 14 relative to holder 96. Side slots 98 lead to ovalopenings 112. Oval openings 112 allow for lateral movement of connectorportions 12 to vary the lateral spacing. Oval openings 112 clip overferrule assemblies 76 to retain the assemblies with holder 96.

Holder 96 is provided with a lateral slot 114, and a rear stop 115 formating with rear sleeve 90 of each ferrule assembly 76.

Front sleeve 88 of ferrule assembly 76 includes a keyed surface 118 formating with a keyed surface 116 of hub 80.

Inner surface 122 of front sleeve 88 is press fit onto outer surface 136of rear sleeve 90. Rear sleeve 138 defines an inner passage 138.

Rear sleeve 90 includes a front collar 124 received in inner slot 40 offront housing 32. Rear collar 126 of rear sleeve 90 is received in slot114 of holder 96. Outer surface 128 of rear sleeve 90 includes a reduceddiameter portion 130, and a shoulder 132. Reduced diameter portion 130is received in oval opening 112. Oval opening 112 retains rear sleeve asthe side slot 98 is slightly smaller than reduced diameter portion 130.Notch 134 of rear sleeve 90 receives tab 100 of holder 96. Rear sleeve90 and the rest of ferrule assembly 76 is prevented from rotatingrelative to holder 96.

To assemble connector 10, cable 150 is inserted through boot 14, crimpring 104 and crimp sleeve 106. The fibers 156, 158 are affixed to theferrules 78 of the ferrule assemblies 76. The ferrule assemblies 76 withthe front housings 32 attached are mounted to the holder 96. The cablejacket 152 and strength members 154 are crimped to rear projection 106between crimp ring 104 and crimp sleeve 106, although crimp sleeve 106is optional is some implementations. Boot 14 is pulled over holder 96until shoulder 110 of holder 96 is retained in opening 54 of boot 14,and proximal ends 22 of the latches 18 are in one of slots 50, 52 ofboot 14.

To switch polarity of connector portions 12, the front housings 32 arerotated in opposite directions so that the proximal ends 22 of thelatches 18 are moved between slots 50, 52. During polarity switching,boot 14 remains mounted to housing 96. Clip 180 is removed during thepolarity switching operation.

Front housings 32 with latches 18 can each be made as a one-pieceelement. Front housing 32 defines an LC profile for mating with ports210 of adapter 200. As noted, front housings 32 are rotatable about thelongitudinal axis of each connector portion 12 to change the polarity ofthe connector 10, without rotating the ferrule 78 or the ferruleassembly 76.

While the example connector 10 includes two fiber optic connectorportions 12 and a boot 14, it is to be appreciated that connector 10 caninclude a single connector portion 12.

In some examples, clip 180 is not used. Clip 180 can be used to providea certain spacing of connector portions 12. One spacing is sized at 6.25millimeters. See Dimension D of FIG. 9. Another spacing that may be usedis 5.25 millimeters. See Dimension C of FIG. 9. A different clip 180with a different spacing may be used, or the clip may be not used forthe closer spacing.

Boot 14 is shown as including a spring return feature. Pocket 140 ofholder 96 receives a spring holder 142 including a peg 144. Springholder 142 with peg 144 holds a return spring 146. Spring 146 biasesboot 14 toward the forward position of FIG. 2 when released by the user.When the user pulls boot 14 longitudinally away from the connectorportions 12, the spring 146 is compressed. Spring 146 moves the boot 14back to the rest position of FIG. 2 upon release by the user. Pocket 140of holder 96 is accessible through opening 148.

Locking Assemblies

Referring now to FIGS. 26-30, another example connector 300 includes twofiber optic connector portions 312 and a boot 314, each structurally andfunctionally similar to the embodiment (12, 14) described above. Theconnector 300 also includes latches 318 structurally and functionallysimilar to the embodiment (18) described above. The connector 300 alsoincludes a locking assembly to maintain the position of the boot 314with respect to the fiber-optic connector portions 312 and the latches318.

The illustrated boot 314 has a cable support portion 320 and a coverportion 322. The cable support portion 320 supports a cable structurallyand functionally similar to the embodiment described above. The coverportion 322 engages the latches 318 structurally and functionallysimilar to the embodiment described above.

The locking assembly can include an axial translation assembly 340 (seeFIG. 29) to define the range of movement of the boot 314 along a centralaxis X. The lock assembly can also include a rotational restrictionassembly 342 (see FIGS. 26-27) to restrict the range of movement of theboot 314 about the central axis X.

The axial translation assembly 340 can include a guide 328 and follower334 assembly on the boot 314 and a boot receiver 336, respectively.Referring to FIG. 30 in particular, a holder 396, that is structurallyand functionally similar to the holder (96) described in the embodimentabove, supports the boot receiver 336. Preferably, the boot receiver 336is rigidly supported by the holder 396 without any relative rotation oraxial separation therebetween. The boot receiver 336 can have acylindrical geometry with an internal passageway to receive a crimp ringand crimp sleeve, as similarly described in the embodiment (104, 106)above. The boot receiver 336 includes a follower 334, for example aprotrusion, extending radially away from the outer circumference.

Referring to FIGS. 28-29 in particular, the rear boot portion 320includes a holder mount 324 that can be fitted over the boot receiver336 such that the boot receiver is received within the holder mount.Preferably, the holder mount 324 is rigidly supported by the rear bootportion 320 without any relative rotation or axial separationtherebetween. The holder mount 324 can be a collar with a geometrygenerally like a cylinder having a hollow inner passageway to receivethe boot receiver 336 therein.

The holder mount 324 includes the guide 328, for example a cam, channelor cutout, into which the follower 334 on the boot receiver 336 isinserted. The illustrated guide 328 has an open receiving end (or mouth)at the distal mounting end of the holder mount 324, and can have aclosed catch end 330. The guide 328 can have an L-shaped pathway with afirst axial section and a second rotational section. The first axialsection can extend in parallel to axis X and the second rotationalsection can extend rotationally away from axis X. The guide 328terminates at the closed catch end 330.

In use, as the holder mount 324 is fitted over the boot receiver 336 thefollower 334 enters the guide 328 and travels along the first axialsection to a terminal end away from the receiving end. When the follower334 reaches the terminal end of the first axial section of the guide328, the holder mount 324 is rotated about the axis X (see rotationarrow B3 in FIGS. 28 and 29) around and with respect to the bootreceiver 336. During this rotation, the follower 334 travels along thesecond rotational section of the guide 328 toward the closed catch end330.

As illustrated, the length R of the rotation section can include thecatch end 330 and a narrowed section defined by an obstacle, for examplea bump or projection which narrows the second rotational axis betweenthe catch end and the receiving end. The catch end 330 can be separatedfrom the first axial section of the guide 328 by the narrowed section.Preferably, the width of the narrowed section (defined in parallel tothe central axis X) is slightly narrower than the width of the follower334. As a result, an amount of additional force is applied to rotate thefollower 334 past the narrowed section into the catch end 330.Similarly, without the additional amount of force, the follower 334cannot be rotatably removed out of the catch end 330.

Alternatively, or additionally, to the narrowed section being narrowerthan the width of the follower 334, the connector 300 can include aspring similar to the spring (146) in the embodiment above which biasesthe boot 314 away from the holder 396. With such a spring, when thefollower 334 is in the catch end 330 the spring biases the holder mount324 away from the boot retainer 336, such that the follower 334 contactsthe distal edge of the catch end. Without an application of force topush the cable support section 320 against the spring bias, the follower334 cannot freely bypass the obstruction of the narrowed section, socannot freely exit the catch end 330.

The locking assembly can also include the rotational restrictionassembly 342 to restrict the range of rotation of the boot 314 about thecentral axis X, specifically restricting the range of rotation of thecable support section 320 within the cover section 322. The rotationalrestriction assembly 342 can include a pair of guides 344 (see FIGS.26-27) positioned oppositely from each other on the cover section 322 ofthe cable 314. The guides 344 (the opposite guide is not shown) can belengths of channels cut out from the cover section 322. The guides 344can be oriented along a rotational axis about axis X.

The rotational restriction assembly 342 can also include a pair offollowers 326 (see FIGS. 26-29), for example protrusions or projections.The followers 326 are positioned oppositely from each other on theholder mount 324 of the cable support section 320 of the cable 314. Asillustrated, the pair of followers 326 extend through the guides 344 onthe cover section 322. The outer diameter of the holder mount 324 isslightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cover section 322, suchthat there is a degree of rotation provided between the holder mount andthe cover section.

During rotation of the cable support section 320 about the central axisX, as shown in FIGS. 26-27, the followers 326 travel along the length Lof the guides 344. Preferably, the length L of the guides 344 isgenerally equal to the length R of the rotational section of the guide328 in the axial translation assembly 340. As a result, the range ofrotation R of the holder mount 324 about the boot receiver 336 isgenerally equal to the range of rotation L of the cable support section320 within the cover section 322.

In use, the cover section 322 is pre-assembled over the cable supportsection 320 such that the followers 326 cannot be removed from withinthe guides 344. The cover section 322 is fitted onto the holder 396,thus receiving the latches 318 similarly to the embodiments describedabove. In conjunction, the holder mount 324 is fitted over the bootretainer 336, with the follower 334 being inserted into the axialsection of the guide 328. When the cover section 322 is fully fittedonto the holder 396, such that the latches 318 are correspondinglysecured, the follower 334 on the boot retainer 336 is also pushed to theterminal end of the axial section of the guide 328.

The cable support section 320 is then rotated about axis X with respectto the cover section 322, such that the follower 334 on the bootretainer 336 travels along the rotational section of the guide 328 pastthe narrow obstruction section toward the catch end 330. As describedabove, an additional amount of force is applied to rotate the follower334 past the narrowed obstruction section of the guide 328 and into thecatch end 330. Alternatively, or additionally, to the narrowedobstruction section, as described above, when the follower 334 entersthe catch end 330 the spring biases the holder mount 324 into a positionwhereby the follower does not freely bypass the narrowed obstructionsection. When the follower 334 is positioned within the catch end 330 ofthe guide 328, any unintended rotation of the holder mount 324 in theopposite direction with respect to the boot retainer 336 is inhibitedwithout additional force.

An alternative benefit of the rotational restriction assembly 342 isthat it provides an indication of whether the follower 334 on the bootretainer 336 is locked within the catch end 330 of the guide 328.Specifically, rotation of the cable support section 320 simultaneouslycauses the follower 334 to travel along the rotational section of theguide 328 and causes the followers 326 to travel along the guides 344.As a result, the position of the followers 326 within the guides 344 canindicate to a user whether or not the cable support section 320 is in alocked position.

FIG. 31 illustrates an additional example locking assembly, intended toprovide similar results as the embodiment described above. Theillustrated boot 414 functions to engage a holder (not shown), thefiber-optic connector portions 12 and the latches 18 described above.The illustrated boot 414 also includes an anti-rotation assembly 450,having a key portion 451 defining a keyway 453. The key portion 451 canbe rotated about an axis Y₁ (see rotation arrow B4 in FIG. 31) which isnormal to the central axis X. Rotating the key portion 451 causes thekeyway 453 to align with a shoulder 410 (or insert), which is similar tothe shoulder (110) described in the embodiments above. The shoulder 410can be pivoted into the keyway 453, inhibiting rotation of the boot 414about the central axis X. Conversely, a user can pivot the shoulder 410out of the keyway 453 in order to allow the boot 414 to rotate. The keyportion 451 can be rotated such that the keyway 453 faces away from theshoulder 410.

FIG. 32 illustrates an additional example locking assembly, intended toprovide similar results as the embodiment described above. Theillustrated boot 514 functions to engage a holder (not shown), thefiber-optic connector portions 12 and the latches 18 described above.The illustrated boot 514 also includes an insertable lock mechanism 550,having a handle portion 551 and an insert portion (not shown). Thehandle portion 551 is accessed by a user to push and pull the handleportion along an axis Y₂, which is normal to the central axis X. Pushingthe handle portion 551 causes the insert portion to engage and disengagea corresponding receiver (not shown) on the holder. The holder can havea similar structure to the holder (96) described above, but including areceiver. Conversely, a user can pull the handle portion 551 in order todisengage the insert portion from the receiver.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described,numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within thescope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality describedwith respect to a particular device or component may be performed byanother device or component. Further, while specific devicecharacteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure mayrelate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, althoughembodiments have been described in language specific to structuralfeatures and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that thedisclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actsdescribed. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed asillustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditionallanguage, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,”unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include,certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elements,and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

We claim:
 1. A connector assembly comprising: a connector portioncomprising a ferrule, a holder comprising a boot retainer, and a bootcomprising a holder mount, the holder releasably holding the connectorportion, the boot retainer releasably retaining the holder mount, andthe connector portion, the holder and the boot being releasablyconnected along a central axis; and a locking assembly releasablylocking the holder mount and the boot retainer together in alignmentwith the central axis, the locking assembly comprising a locking axis.2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking axis extendsabout the central axis.
 3. The connector assembly of claim 1, whereinthe locking assembly comprises a guide and a follower, the guidedefining a locking pathway comprising a rotation section extending alongthe locking axis, and the follower travelling along the locking pathway.4. The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein the rotation sectionterminates with a follower catch, the follower catch retains thefollower when the connector is locked.
 5. The connector assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the rotation section further comprises a reduced-widthchannel providing access to the follower catch.
 6. The connectorassembly of claim 5, wherein the reduced-width channel defines a firstwidth and the follower defines a second width, the reduced-width channelfirst width being smaller than the follower second width.
 7. Theconnector assembly of claim 4, further comprising a biasing elementreleasably biasing the follower against the follower catch.
 8. Theconnector assembly of claim 3, wherein the guide extends through theholder mount and the follower is positioned on the boot retainer.
 9. Theconnector assembly of claim 3, wherein the guide comprises an insertionsection extending extending along an axis different from the lockingaxis.
 10. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the follower isconfigured to travel along the insertion section before entering therotation section.
 11. The connector assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a cover assembly rotatably supported around the holder mountand releasably secured to the holder.
 12. The connector assembly ofclaim 11, wherein the cover assembly comprises a cover with a range ofrotation around the holder mount, the range of rotation defined by arotation restriction assembly.
 13. The connector assembly of claim 12,wherein the rotation restriction assembly comprises at least one guideextending through the cover and at least one follower positioned on theholder mount, the at least one follower extending through the at leastone guide.
 14. The connector assembly of claim 13, wherein the at leastone guide defines a pathway extending along a rotation axis, therotation axis extending in parallel with the locking axis.
 15. Theconnector assembly of claim 1, further comprising an anti-rotationassembly comprising a keyway and an insert, the insert being removablypivoted into the keyway to inhibit rotation of the boot about thecentral axis.
 16. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the keywayis rotatable about an axis that is oriented away from the central axis.17. A connector assembly comprising: a boot retainer and a bootcomprising a retainer mount, the boot retainer releasably receiving theretainer mount, and the boot retainer and the retainer mount beingreleasably connected along a central axis; and a locking assemblyreleasably locking the retainer mount and the boot retainer together inalignment along the central axis, the locking assembly comprises a guideand a follower, the guide defining a locking pathway comprising aninsertion section and a rotation section, the insertion sectionextending in parallel to the central axis, the rotation sectionextending about the central axis, the follower travelling along thelocking pathway.
 18. The connector assembly of claim 17, wherein theguide extends through the retainer mount and the follower is positionedon the boot retainer.
 19. The connector assembly of claim 17, furthercomprising a cover assembly rotatably supported around the retainermount, the cover comprising a range of rotation around the holder mountdefined by a rotation restriction assembly.
 20. The connector assemblyof claim 19, wherein the rotation restriction assembly comprises atleast one guide extending through the cover and at least one followerpositioned on the retainer mount, the at least one follower extendingthrough the at least one rotation restriction assembly guide.
 21. Aconnector assembly comprising: a connector including a ferrule and alatch, the latch being movable about a connection point; a bootremovably mounted to the connector, the boot being axially slidable tomove the latch; and a locking assembly to selectively lock the boot fromsliding axially relative to the connector.